JPH07318332A - Angle detection apparatus and input device using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an angle detection apparatus in which a detection part to detect light from a light source is installed, in which the relative angle of a light-emitting part to the detection part can be detected and which can be utilized for an input device. CONSTITUTION:A photodetector 23 which has four-split light-receiving parts 23a to 23d is installed in a detection part 20. Beams of light from two light sources which can be discriminated mutually are emitted from a light-emitting part. The beams of light from the respective light sources are narrowed down in a diaphragm port, and a light-receiving face on the photodetector 23 is irradiated with separate beams of rectangular spot light S16, S17. When the difference in a light-receiving output between the individual four-split light-receiving parts 23a to 23d is computed, the center I1 of the beam of rectangular spot light S16 and the center I2 of the beam of rectangular spot light S17 can be found. When an angle of inclination alpha on the X-Y orthogonal coordinates of a line (x) connecting both centers I1, I2 is computed, it is possible to know the angle of rotation with reference to the Z-axis of the light-emitting part and the detection part 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a light emitting portion having a light source and a detecting portion for receiving and detecting light from the light source, and a relative rotation angle of both portions with respect to an axis connecting the light emitting portion and the detecting portion. The present invention also relates to an angle detection device capable of detecting the relative amount of inclination of both parts in consideration of this rotation angle, and an input device using this angle detection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an input device for inputting information from the outside to a screen on which various images are displayed, a controller having a joystick, a planar coordinate input device having switch elements arranged in a matrix, etc. Is the main one. The controller with the joystick is suitable for moving a character on the screen or performing an operation instruction for the action game, but it is possible to place a cursor mark on a button appearing anywhere on the screen. Not suitable for operation. Also, since this type of controller is of a cord type, it can only be operated near the screen. In addition, the conventional planar coordinate input device requires a large space for installing a planar pointing panel in front of the screen, and has a complicated structure and high cost.

Therefore, recently, an input device using ultrasonic waves as shown in FIG. 12 has been considered. This input device is provided with sound sources 2a and 2b arranged on both sides of the screen 1 of the main body of the device at intervals in the horizontal axis (x-axis) direction. The operation member 3 that is held and operated by a person is provided with a detection unit that detects ultrasonic waves emitted from the sound sources 2a and 2b. From the sound sources 2a and 2b, ultrasonic waves are emitted by being pulse-modulated with their phases shifted from each other. The detection unit of the operating member 3 identifies and receives the ultrasonic waves from the sound sources 2a and 2b, and calculates the distance La between the sound source 2a and the distance Lb between the sound source 2b from the phase difference between the received ultrasonic waves. As a result, the horizontal surface (Hx-Hy surface) of the operating member 3
The position above can be detected. Operation member 3
Is moved on a horizontal plane (Hx-Hy surface) and the operation button is pressed as necessary, the information received by the operation member 3 is given to the device body by wire or wirelessly, and Hx- is displayed on the device body.
The position of the operation member 3 on the Hy plane is calculated, and for example, the cursor mark 4 appearing on the screen 1 of the device body is moved.

[0004]

With the input device shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to detect the position of the operating member 3 on the horizontal plane (Hx-Hy plane) and give the information to the device body. Even if the operation member 3 is stopped at a certain position on the Hx-Hy plane and tilted in the θx direction, the tilt angle cannot be detected. Further, the θy direction of the operation member 3 and θ
It is also impossible to detect the rotation angle in the z direction. Further, although ultrasonic waves can be realized with a simple configuration, they have many problems in terms of reliability, such as poor stability against temperature and a large amount of disturbance noise. A method of obtaining a position and an angle in a three-dimensional space by using an AC magnetic field other than ultrasonic waves has also been proposed, but the device becomes large and extremely expensive.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an angle detecting device and a device for detecting the angle of relative rotation between a light emitting portion and a detecting portion with a simple structure and high accuracy. An object is to provide an input device using the device.

[0006]

In an angle detecting device according to the present invention, a light emitting portion and a detecting portion are arranged apart from each other, and the light emitting portion is provided with two light sources which emit discriminable light. The detection unit is divided in the X-axis direction when the apertures that make each light a spot light of a predetermined area and the XY orthogonal coordinates that intersect the axis passing through the center of the aperture are set. The divided light receiving portion and the divided light receiving portion divided in the Y-axis direction are provided, and the difference between the amount of received light in the divided light receiving portion in the X axis direction and the amount of received light in the divided light receiving portion in the Y axis direction with respect to each spot light. It is characterized in that a calculation unit is provided for obtaining the position of each spot light from the difference and for obtaining the inclination angle of the line connecting the centers of both spot lights on the XY coordinates.

Further, in the above, the rotation coordinates Xα-Yα obtained by rotating the XY Cartesian coordinates by the inclination angle are set, and the calculation unit calculates the midpoint of the spot lights on the Xα-Yα coordinates. The position is required.

Further, the calculating section obtains the distance between the light emitting section and the detecting section from the distance between the centers of both spot lights and the arrangement interval of the light sources.

The detection unit can be constructed by providing one aperture and a four-division light receiving unit divided in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction respectively, or two apertures and one aperture. It can be configured by providing a two-divided light receiving portion divided in the X-axis direction for detecting a spot that has passed through and a two-divided light receiving portion divided in the Y-axis direction for detecting spot light that has passed through the other aperture. .

Further, in the angle detecting device according to the present invention, the light emitting portion and the detecting portion are arranged apart from each other, the light emitting portion emits light of substantially linear polarization, and the detecting portion emits light from the light emitting portion. Two filters that transmit polarized components that are inclined in opposite directions to the polarization direction of the light and a light receiving unit that detects the light transmitted through each filter are provided, and the received light amount of the light transmitted through each filter. It is characterized in that there is provided a calculating section for obtaining a rotation angle between the light emitting section and the detecting section from the difference.

In the above, when the XY orthogonal coordinates intersecting with the axis connecting the light emitting section and the detecting section are set, one light receiving section can detect the amount of movement of the spot light in the X axis direction, and the other light receiving section. It is preferable that the light receiving section be capable of detecting the amount of movement of the spot light in the Y-axis direction.

Further, by using the angle detecting device having each of the above structures, a light emitting portion is provided on one of the fixed device body side and the movable operating member side, and the detecting portion is provided on the other side, and the light emitting portion and the detecting portion are connected. It is possible to provide an input device for inputting relative rotation angle information of both parts with respect to the axis from the operation member to the device body.

[0013]

In the first means, the identifiable light is emitted from the two light sources arranged at the light emitting portion with a space.
For example, by generating light modulated at a constant frequency from both light sources and shifting the light emission timing (phase) from both light sources, each light can be identified by the detection unit. In addition, the wavelength and modulation frequency of the light emitted from each light source are made different, and each detection output detected by the light receiving part of the detection part is separated by a bandpass filter so that the light from both light sources can be distinguished. May be.

The light emitted from the two light sources of the light emitting section is
The detection section passes through the aperture and becomes spot light of a predetermined area, and this spot light is received by the 4-split light receiving section or the 2-split light receiving section. By obtaining the difference in the amount of received light of the divided light receiving unit divided in the X-axis direction and the difference in the amount of received light of the divided light receiving unit divided in the Y-axis direction in the detection unit, the light emitted from each light source is detected. The position of the spot light can be detected separately. A line that passes through the centers of both spot lights can be obtained from the positions of both spot lights, and therefore the XY of the detection unit can be obtained.
The angle of the line on Cartesian coordinates can be known. This makes it possible to detect the relative rotation angle of both parts with respect to the line connecting the light emitting part and the detecting part.

Further, a rotation coordinate Xα-Yα obtained by rotating the XY orthogonal coordinate in the detection unit by the same angle as the rotation angle is set, and the position of the midpoint of both spot lights on the Xα-Yα coordinate is set. By detecting, the tilt angle of both parts in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction can be detected in consideration of the relative rotation angle of the light emitting part and the detecting part.

According to another means, linearly polarized light is emitted from the light emitting section. The detection unit detects a pair of filters that respectively transmit polarization components of opposite angles of +45 degrees and −45 degrees with respect to the polarization direction of the light emitted from the light emitting unit, and the light transmitted through the filters. A light receiving section is provided. By comparing the amount of light received by both light receiving parts, it is possible to know the tilt angle of the polarization direction of the light from the light source with respect to the polarization direction of both filters, and thus the relative angle of both parts with respect to the axis connecting the light emitting part and the detection part. It is possible to detect the proper rotation angle.

Further, when identifiable light is emitted from the two light sources of the light emitting portion and the position of each spot light of the respective light is obtained by the split light receiving portion of the detection portion, it is between the centers of both spot light. It is also possible to detect the distance between the light emitting unit and the detecting unit from the distance and the arrangement interval of the light sources in the light emitting unit.

The light emitting portion and the detecting portion of the above angle detecting device are
By separately installing the device body and the operation member, the direction (posture) of the operation member with respect to the device body can be detected. Therefore, it becomes possible to input three-dimensional position information to the device body by pushing the operation button or the like with the operation member facing any posture.

By using the angle detecting device or the input device, the coordinate position can be input to the device having the screen by the operation member, or the push button appearing on the screen can be operated by moving the cursor mark. You can also Furthermore, it is possible to use it as an angle detection in virtual reality and as an input of a position or an angle.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing an input device using an angle detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the basic structure and operation of the angle detecting device. In this input device, the fixed side is the device body 10,
The device body 10 is a computer, an AV device, a game machine body, or the like, and has a CRT screen 11. The moving side is the operation member 12. The operation member 12 functions as a remote controller and has a size that can be held by hand. The operation member 12 and the device main body 10 are connected to each other by a wire by a cord, or the operation member 12 gives detection information (mainly angle detection information) and an operation instruction signal to the device main body 11 by infrared communication or radio wave communication.

Although the input device is provided with an angle detecting device, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting portion 15 is provided on the device body 10 side and the detecting portion 20 is provided on the operating member 12 side. The light emitting unit 15 and the detecting unit 20 constitute the angle detecting device of the present invention. When the horizontal axis that passes through the center O1 of the light emitting unit 15 is the x axis and the vertical axis that passes through the center O1 is the y axis, it is equidistant a (see FIG. 2) from the center O1 on the x axis. A pair of point light sources 16 and 17 are provided at different positions. In FIG. 1, the center O1 of the light emitting unit 15 is the screen 11
The point light sources 16 and 17 are shown in the screen 11 at the center (b) position.

However, in an actual device, the center O1 of the light emitting portion 15 is located off the screen 11 at a position indicated by (B), for example. In this case, when the Z axis extending vertically (horizontal in FIG. 2) to the detection unit 20 of the operation member 12 is directed to the center of the screen 11, the center of the detection unit 20 of the operation member 12 and the light emitting unit 15 are separated. An offset angle θ0 is generated between the line Jo connecting the center and the Z axis. In an actual input device and angle detection device, the offset angle θ0 is divided from the detection angle in the Y direction detected by the detection unit 20 of the operating member 12 to determine the Z-axis direction (opposite angle) θy with respect to the screen. It is calculated. Alternatively, the center O1 of the light emitting unit 15 is located at the center of the screen 11, and the screen 11 is displayed on the x-axis passing through the center O1.
Point light sources 16 at the left and right lateral positions (positions of (C))
By arranging and 17, it is not necessary to divide the offset angle θ0. In any case, in order to facilitate the description of the configuration and operation of the angle detection device, the following description will be made assuming that the center O1 of the light emitting unit 15 is located at the center (a) position of the screen 11.

Lights which can be distinguished from each other are emitted from the two point light sources 16 and 17. For example, each point light source 16 and 17
Is an infrared light emitting diode, and both point light sources 16 and 17
From, modulated light having the same frequency (cycle) and a phase shifted by 180 degrees is output. FIG. 6A shows one point light source 16
6B is a drive pulse for causing the other point light source 17 to emit light. Each point light source 16 and 1
Both 7 emit modulated light by a drive pulse having a frequency of about 16 to 40 kHz, the light source 16 and the light source 17 have a different light emission period by 180 degrees, and the light source 16 and the light source 17 alternately emit infrared light at different timings. It is like this.
As shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 20 provided on the operation member 12 includes the visible light cut filter 2 from the side facing the light emitting unit 15.
1, the diaphragm plate 22, and the light receiving element 23 are provided in parallel in this order.

The diaphragm plate 22 has a rectangular aperture 22a. The diaphragm plate 22 passes through the center of this diaphragm port 22a.
An axis perpendicular to the light receiving element 23 is defined as the Z axis, and the detection unit 20 sets XY orthogonal coordinates orthogonal to the Z axis. As shown in FIG. 3, the light receiving element 23 is composed of a pin photodiode having four divided light receiving portions 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d. In the XY Cartesian coordinates, a pair of divided light receiving portions 23a and 23b and 23c and 2
The set of 3d is divided in the Y-axis direction, and the set of 23b and 23d and the set of 23a and 23c are divided in the X direction.

Infrared light emitted from the point light sources 16 and 17 at different timings (different periods) is narrowed down by the rectangular aperture 22a, and irradiated onto the light receiving element 23 as rectangular spot light. In FIG. 3, the rectangular spot light of infrared light emitted from the light source 16 is indicated by S16,
The rectangular spot light of infrared light emitted from the light source 17 is S1.
It is shown by 7. The aperture area of the aperture 22a and each light receiving portion 2
The light receiving areas of 3a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, and the distance m between the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 23 and the surface of the diaphragm plate 22 (see FIG.
Even if the operating member 12 tilts in each direction within a certain range, the rectangular spot lights S16 and S17 are set so as not to deviate from the light receiving detection areas of the four-divided light receiving sections 23a to 23d. Further, since the visible light cut filter 21 is provided, the external light noise component other than the rectangular spots S16 and S17 of the infrared light is blocked in the light receiving element 23 as much as possible.

In each of the divided light receiving portions 23a to 23d, a detected current photoelectrically converted based on the irradiation area of the rectangular spot light is obtained. Although the processing circuit will be dictated, the detected current is converted into a voltage and processed.
Therefore, the detection output based on the irradiation area of the rectangular spot light in the divided light receiving units 23a to 23d is Lu, R in FIG.
It is shown by u, Ld, and Rd. As described above, the point light sources 16 and 1
Since infrared light is emitted from 7 at different timings,
When the light receiving element 23 detects the rectangular spot light S16 and the rectangular spot light S17 are different,
Each of the rectangular spot lights S is time-divided by the processing circuit.
The detection outputs of Lu, Ru, Ld, and Rd are obtained every 16 and S17.

Next, the angle detecting operation of the angle detecting device including the light emitting section 15 and the detecting section 20 will be described.
FIG. 3 shows that when the operating member 12 is in a certain posture, the detecting unit 20
The rectangular spot lights S16 and S17 detected in FIG. The detection state of FIG. 3 is a state in which the operation member 12 is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the Z axis in FIG. This rotation angle is α. That is, XY on the detection unit 20 side
It shows a state in which the x-axis on the side of the light emitting unit 15 where the point light sources 16 and 17 are arranged is relatively rotated by an angle α with respect to the X-axis of the orthogonal coordinates.

In FIG. 3, the center of the rectangular spot light S16 of the infrared light from the light source 16 is shown as I1, and the center of the rectangular spot light S17 of the infrared light from the light source 17 is shown as I2. Further, the coordinate position of the center I1 on the XY orthogonal coordinates on the detection unit 20 side is (X1, Y1), and the coordinate position of I2 is (X2, Y
2). Letting Oa be the intersection of the line J1 (see FIG. 4) connecting the center O1 of the light emitting portion 15 and the center of the aperture 22a on the light receiving element 23, the intersection Oa is located at the center of I1 and I2. . The coordinate position of the intersection Oa on the XY orthogonal coordinates of the detection unit 20 is (X0, Y0). When tan α is obtained on the XY orthogonal coordinates shown in FIG.

[0029]

[Equation 1]

Therefore, the rotation angle α of the operating member 12 and the detecting portion 20 with respect to the Z axis is as shown in the following equation 2.

[0031]

[Equation 2]

Here, X1 and X2 in the above equation 1 are
With respect to the rectangular spot lights S16 and S17 of infrared light generated at different timings from the light sources 16 and 17, the amount of light received by the pair of divided light receiving units 23b and 23d divided in the X-axis direction, and the divided light receiving units 23a and 23c. It can be obtained by taking the difference from the amount of received light of the group. Further, Y1 and Y2 are, for the respective rectangular spot lights S16 and S17, the amount of light received by the group of divided light receiving units 23a and 23b divided in the Y-axis direction and the amount of light received by the group of divided light receiving units 23c and 23d. It can be calculated from the difference. That is, the light receiving outputs Lu, Ru, Ld, Rd at the respective divided light receiving parts and the coordinates X1, X2,
Y1 and Y2 have a proportional relationship shown by the following Expression 3. Therefore, by calculating the received light output, X1, X2, Y1, Y
2, that is, the positions of the rectangular spots S16 and S17 on the XY orthogonal coordinates of the detection unit 20 can be obtained.

[0033]

[Equation 3]

For the received light output of each divided light receiving unit, the above equation 3
By performing the calculation of 1 and the calculation of Formula 1 or Formula 2, the relative rotation angle α of the operation member 12 and the detection unit 20 with respect to the Z axis can be obtained. The calculation of Formula 1 or Formula 2 can be performed, for example, by (Y2-Y1) / (X2-X) in the digital calculation unit (calculation unit) 48 shown in FIG.
The value of 1) and the angle α corresponding thereto are set in advance in a table, and the angle α can be easily obtained by referring to this table.

Next, in the detection state of FIG.
The detection unit 20 is in a state of being rotated by an angle α relative to the Z axis, and the detection unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 is provided on the operation member 12 on the moving side. Therefore, the XY Cartesian coordinates of the detection unit 20 are rotated by an angle α with respect to the XY Cartesian coordinates on the device body 10 side (the XY Cartesian coordinates fixed with respect to the space). On the other hand, the tilt information given to the device body 10 by the operation member 12 must be the angles θx and θy with respect to the xy orthogonal coordinates on the device body 10 side. Therefore, in FIG. 3, the rotation coordinates Xα-Yα rotated by the angle α with respect to the XY orthogonal coordinates fixed to the detection unit 20 are set. The position of the center Oa on this coordinate is calculated as in Formula 4.

[0036]

[Equation 4]

However, X1 and X2 can be obtained by the equation 5.

[0038]

[Equation 5]

By obtaining the above Xα and Yα, the Z-axis tilt angle θ with reference to the xy coordinates on the device body 10 side.
x and θy (unit is radian) can be obtained. Although FIG. 4 illustrates θy, the same applies to θx. When the distance between the aperture 22a and the surface of the light receiving element 23 is m, this m is very small. Therefore, Xα and θx, Y
The relationship between α and θy is as shown in Equation 6.

[0040]

[Equation 6]

From the above, the operation is performed by performing the operation of the equation 3 and further the operation of the equation 1 or the equation 2 on the received light detection outputs Lu, Ru, Ld and Rd from the respective divided light receiving portions 23a to 23d. The rotation angle α of the member 12 with respect to the Z axis can be obtained. In addition, based on this angle α, X in Equation 4
It is possible to obtain α and Yα, and obtain the inclinations θx and θy of the Z axis with respect to the xy coordinates of the device body 10 from the values of Xα, Yα and m. Since the Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the detection unit 20 of the operation member 12, the tilt angle of the operation member 12 with respect to the xy coordinates of the device body 10 can be detected by obtaining θx and θy.

Next, in the above angle detecting device, the light emitting section 15
It is also possible to obtain the distance L (see FIG. 5) in the Z-axis direction between the detection unit 20 and the detection unit 20. As shown in FIG. 5, when the distance between the point light sources 16 and 17 in the light emitting section 15 in the x-axis direction is 2 · a = A, and the linear distance between I1 and I2 on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 23 is b. , And these relationships are as shown in Equation 7.

[0043]

[Equation 7]

In the above, b is XY on the detection unit 20 side.
I1 (X1, Y1) and I2 (Y1, Y2) on Cartesian coordinates
It can be obtained from the position of the following equation (8).

[0045]

[Equation 8]

That is, it is possible to obtain X1, Y1, X2, and Y2 from the light reception detection output of each divided light receiving unit by the equation 3, b from the equation 8, and the distance L from the equation 7. Each of the above calculations is performed in the operation member 12 and the result is transmitted to the device body 10 in a wired or wireless manner, or only the light reception detection output of the detection unit 20 is transmitted to the device body 10, and the device body 10 side Then, the above calculation is performed.

In this input device, even if the operating member 12 rotates in the α direction with respect to the Z axis, the rotation angle α is taken into consideration, and the xy coordinates (fixed coordinates in space) on the device body 10 side are taken into consideration.
It is possible to detect the inclinations θx and θy in the x and y directions with respect to. Therefore, even if the operating member 12 held by hand is in the posture rotated in the α direction, information based on the inclinations of θx and θy can be given to the device body 10, and for example, a cursor mark displayed on the screen 11 Can be moved on the xy coordinates. That is, the operation member 12 can be freely moved in the space to give an instruction for image processing on the screen 11, for example, draw a line, or operate the switch by moving the cursor mark to the button display on the screen 11 to switch the screen. Input is possible, in this case the operating member 1 held by hand
Even if 2 rotates about the Z axis, this rotation causes x
-The input operation for the y coordinate does not get out of order.

Further, in the input device and the angle detection device, the rotation angle α of the operation member 12 and the detection unit 20 with respect to the Z axis can be used as instruction information for the display on the screen 11 of the device body 10. For example, the operation member 12
By rotating the image in the direction, the image appearing on the screen 11 can be rotated within the xy coordinates on the device body side, and this can be used for drawing processing and rotation of the character in the game software. .

In FIG. 1, when the cursor mark is moved on the screen 11 based only on the tilt angles of the operating member 12 in the θx and θy directions, when the operating member 12 approaches the screen 11, The difference in the operational feel when 12 is away from the screen 11 is felt. The position where the operation member 12 is brought close to the screen 11 and the screen 11
When the operation member is tilted by the same angle in the θx direction at a position sufficiently distant from the cursor position, the cursor mark moves by the same distance on the screen 11 based on the information of the tilt angle θx. Therefore, when the operation member 12 is tilted at a position away from the screen 11, the user feels that the cursor mark does not move much on the screen 11.

Therefore, the difference in touch can be compensated by adding the distance L calculated by the equation 7 to the correction. For example, as the distance L between the light emitting unit 15 and the detection unit 20 increases, the inclination of the operating member 12 in the θx or θy direction is corrected so that the moving distance of the cursor mark on the screen 11 is increased. As a result, it is possible to correct the difference in operation feeling between when the operation member 12 approaches the screen 11 and when the operation member 12 moves away from the screen 11. On the contrary, when the operation member 12 is separated from the screen 11 by a considerable distance, the operation member 12 may be slightly tilted by the above correction and the cursor mark on the screen 11 may move greatly, which may cause an operational input error due to camera shake. . In this case, a correction opposite to the above is performed, and when the distance L becomes long, the movement distance of the cursor mark on the screen 11 with respect to the inclination of θx and θy of the operation member 12 may be kept short.

7 and 8 show a modification of the first embodiment. Light receiving element 23 provided in the detection unit 20a
In the XY orthogonal coordinates on the detection unit side, has two-divided light receiving units 23A and 23B divided in the X-axis direction and two-divided light receiving units 23C and 23D divided in the Y-axis direction.
In front of the respective light receiving parts, the diaphragm aperture 22 of the diaphragm plate 22 is provided.
A and 22B are located, and cylindrical lenses 25a and 25b are provided in front of the apertures 22A and 22B on the light source side. The two-divided light receiving sections 23A and 23B and the two-divided light receiving sections 23C and 23D are arranged at extremely close distances. As shown in FIG. 8, by providing a cylindrical lens, the spot light formed on the two-divided light receiving sections 23A and 23B is focused in the Y-axis direction, and X
No light is focused in the axial direction. Two-divided light receiving sections 23C and 2
In the spot light formed in 3D, the light is focused in the X-axis direction, and the light is not focused in the Y-axis direction.

The detector 20a shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided on the operating member 12 shown in FIG. Assuming that the operating member 12, that is, the detection unit 20a is rotated by the angle α with respect to the Z axis, the two-divided light receiving units 23A, 23 on the left side of the drawing.
In B, the infrared light from the light source 16 is focused by the cylindrical lens 25a and focused by the aperture 22A to become the rectangular spot light S16a, which strikes the light receiving surface. Similarly light source 1
The infrared light from 7 becomes a rectangular spot light S17a and strikes the light receiving surfaces of the two-divided light receiving sections 23A and 23B. Similarly, the infrared light from the light source 16 hits the rectangular spot S16b at the right two-divided light receiving portions 23C and 23D, and the light source 1
The infrared light from 7 becomes the rectangular spot light S17b. Left and right two-divided light receiving sections 23A, 23B and 23C, 23
Since D is arranged at a distance that is sufficiently shorter than the distance L from the light emitting unit 15, each of the divided light receiving units 23A to 23A.
When the light receiving outputs at 23D are L, R, U, and D, the I shown in FIG.
The coordinate positions X1, Y1 and X2, Y2 of 1 and I2 can be approximately obtained.

[0053]

[Equation 9]

X1, X2, Y1, obtained by the equation 9
Since Y2 means the approximate coordinates of the rectangular spot position of the infrared light from each of the light sources 16 and 17, the operation member 12 and the detection unit 12 and the detection unit are calculated by performing the calculation of Expression 1 or Expression 2 based on this value. The rotation angle α relative to the Z axis with respect to 20a can be obtained. In addition, number 4, number 5, number 6
Thus, the tilt angles θx and θy with respect to the xy orthogonal coordinates on the device body 10 side can be obtained. Furthermore, the distance L between the light emitting unit 15 and the detecting unit 20a can be approximately calculated by the equation 7.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the split light-receiving portion 23 on the left side is used.
In A and 23B, the rectangular spot lights S16a and S1
7a and the light receiving surface so that they do not move in the Y-axis direction,
In the right divided light receiving sections 23C and 23D, it is necessary to prevent the rectangular spot lights S16b and S17b from deviating in the X-axis direction with respect to the light receiving surface. This is because the aperture area of each aperture 22A and 22B is large. It is possible to keep it wide. Also, the cylindrical lenses 25a and 25b
Is not necessarily required, but since the light from the light sources 16 and 17 is focused and detected in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction by providing a cylindrical lens, the light utilization efficiency is improved and the S / N ratio is increased. It is possible to increase (signal to noise ratio).

Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light emitting unit 30 and the detecting unit 35 constitute an angle detecting device. In the input device similar to that shown in FIG.
It is provided on the 0 side, and the detection unit 35 is provided on the operating member 12 side. The light emitting unit 30 is provided with one point light source 31 such as an infrared light emitting diode, and a polarizing plate 32 is provided in front of the point light source 31. The infrared light emitted from the point light source 31 and transmitted through the polarizing plate 32 has only a substantially linear polarization component whose polarization direction is the y direction with respect to the fixed coordinates (xy coordinates) on the light emitting unit 30 side. A plurality of light sources 31 may be provided.

The detection unit 35 has the following XY Cartesian coordinates:
Filters 36 and 37 that transmit polarized components of −45 degrees and +45 degrees are provided on the opposite sides of the Y axis. The light transmitted through the filter 36 is received and detected by the two-divided light receiving sections 23A and 23B divided in the Y-axis direction, and the filter 3
The light transmitted through 7 is received and detected by the two-divided light receiving sections 23C and 23D divided in the X-axis direction. When the detection unit 35 is mounted on the operation member 12 and the operation member 12 is rotated by an angle α about the Z axis that is a vertical line extending from the detection unit 35, the filters 36 and 37 are polarized components of 45 degrees in opposite directions. Of the detection output transmitted through each of the filters and received by the two-divided light receiving section, on the side where the transmission polarization angle of the filter approaches the linearly polarized light emitted from the light emitting section 30. The amount of received light increases, and the amount of received light decreases on the side where the polarization angles are separated.

The two-divided light receiving section 23 is transmitted through the filter 36.
The rectangular spot light S36 formed on A and 23B and the rectangular spot light S37 (see FIG. 10) which is transmitted through the filter 37 and formed on the two-divided light receiving sections 23C and 23D have the same area, and Rectangular spots S36 and S
It is necessary to prevent 37 from deviating from the light receiving area in each two-divided light receiving section. Two-divided light receiving sections 23A and 23B when the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 32 in the light emitting section 30 and the polarization direction of the filter 36 or the filter 37 completely match.
Of the total received light detection output at the two or two-divided light receiving sections 23C, 2
Let P0 be the total sum of the received light detection outputs in 3D. Detector 35
Is the angle + α (unit is degree (deg)) with respect to the Z-axis, the sum of the received light detection outputs in the two-divided light receiving units 23A and 23B is P1, and the received light detection in the two-divided light receiving units 23C and 23D. If the sum of outputs is P2, P1, P2 and P0
The relationship with and is as shown in Equation 10.

[0059]

[Equation 10]

Here, when the difference (P2-P1) and (P1-P2) between the received light detection outputs of the left and right two-divided light receiving sections is calculated, the result is as shown in equation 11.

[0061]

[Equation 11]

Here, P = (P1-P2) / (P2-P
Assuming 1), P is as shown in Expression 12.

[0063]

[Equation 12]

When α is obtained from equation 12, it is as shown in equation 13.

[0065]

[Equation 13]

That is, the sum P1 of the received light detection outputs of the two-divided light receiving sections 23A and 23B and the two-divided light receiving sections 23C and 23D.
The relative rotation angle α of the detection unit 35 and the light emitting unit 30 with respect to the Z-axis can be obtained by performing the arithmetic processing of Formula 11, Formula 12 and Formula 13 from the total sum P2 of the received light detection outputs. Further, with respect to the received light detection output L of the light receiving unit 23A and the received light detection output R of the light receiving unit 23B, the light receiving unit 23
The positions Xa and Ya of the centers of the rectangular spot lights S36 and S37 in FIG. 10 can be calculated by performing the calculation of the equation 14 on the light reception detection output U of C and the light reception detection output D of the light receiving unit 23D. By performing the same calculation as Equation 6 on Xa and Ya, it is possible to calculate the tilt angles θx and θy (see FIG. 1) of the Z axis of the detection unit 35 with respect to the light emitting unit 30 side.

[0067]

[Equation 14]

In this case, only the arithmetic processing of the equations 14 and 6 gives θ.
Although x and θy can be calculated approximately, the detection unit 35 is mounted on the operation member 12, and the XY orthogonal coordinate of the detection unit 35 is Z.
Since it is rotated by α with respect to the axis, θx and θy can be calculated with higher accuracy by performing correction at this angle α. In addition, the two-divided light receiving units 23A and 23B
Instead of the above, a PSD element that can detect the position of the rectangular spot light S36 in the X-axis direction is used, and
Instead of C and 23D, a PSD element that can detect the position of the rectangular spot light S37 in the Y-axis direction may be used.

Next, FIGS. 11A and 11B show the circuit configuration used in the angle detecting device of each of the embodiments. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the like, the infrared light having a phase difference of 180 degrees from the point light sources 16 and 17 emits intermittently at the same frequency. Also in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, infrared light is intermittently emitted from the point light source 31 at a predetermined frequency. Therefore, in each of the embodiments, each of the divided light receiving units 23a to 23d or 23A to 23D can obtain a light reception output having a substantially sine curve change corresponding to the pulse cycle.

As shown in FIG. 11, a current / voltage converter 41 is connected to each of the divided light receiving portions, and the current value of the light receiving output in each divided light receiving portion is converted into a voltage value. Each detected voltage passes through the bandpass filter 42, and the frequency component of pulse emission (intermittent emission) is removed. Then, the detected voltage is amplified by the amplifier 43, detected by the detector 44, and the voltage corresponding to the received light amount of each divided light receiving unit is extracted as a DC component. Further, the voltage output from each wave detector 44 is added as a voltage value by the adder 45 and is given to the automatic gain control circuit 46. Then, the gain control circuit 46 controls the amplification factor of the amplifier 43. Each detected voltage from the detector 44 is converted into a digital value by, for example, the analog / digital converter 47, and the sum is calculated by the digital calculator 48.
Difference, quotient, and product operations are performed. That is, each calculation shown in the formulas 1 to 14 is performed by the digital calculator 48. Therefore, the digital calculator 48 corresponds to the calculating unit of the present invention.

The circuit shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the operating member 1 shown in FIG.
In the case of being provided inside 2, the output after the calculation is transmitted to the device body 10 side by infrared transmission, FM transmission or wired connection. On the device body 10 side, a cursor mark or the like is displayed on the screen 11 based on the received information. Alternatively, information regarding the current output from the divided light receiving unit or the voltage output after the current / voltage conversion may be sent to the device body 10 by wire or wirelessly, and the circuit after the bandpass filter 42 may be provided on the device body 10 side. Good. Further, in the input device as shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting unit of each of the above-described embodiments is provided on the operation member 12 side, and the detection unit is the device body 10.
It may be provided on the side.

For example, the detection unit 20 shown in FIG.
The two point light sources 16 and 17 are provided on the 0 side and the operation member 1
When it is provided on the second side, the XY coordinates serving as the reference of the four-division light receiving unit shown in FIG. 3 are fixed in space. Therefore, even if the calculation of the equation 4 using the rotational coordinate of Xα-Yα is not performed, Z is calculated based on the calculation processing of the equations 3 and 5.
It is possible to calculate the tilt angles θx and θy of the axes.
In this case, the rotation angle α with respect to the Z-axis can be detected by the calculation of Formula 1 or Formula 2, and the information can be obtained in the device main body 10, and only the calculation process similar to Formula 3 and Formula 5 and Formula 6 is required. Then, θx and θy can be obtained. The angle detection device of the present invention can be applied not only to the input device having the operation member 12 as shown in FIG. 1, but also to the position and angle detection in virtual reality.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, the rotation angle of both parts with respect to the axis connecting the light emitting part and the detecting part can be detected, and when applied to the input device, the above-mentioned operation member can be used for the main body of the device. It becomes possible to give information and instructions regarding the rotation angle.

Further, the tilt information can be obtained in consideration of the rotation angle between the light emitting section and the detecting section. For example, even when the detecting section is provided on the moving side of the operating member or the like, the orthogonality on the detecting section side is obtained. It is possible to input information about the tilt angles θx and θy in the x-axis and y-axis directions with respect to the fixed-side device body in consideration of the rotational component of the coordinates.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an input device using an angle detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing the angle detection device of the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the detection unit of the first embodiment as seen from the Z-axis direction,

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the angle detection device of the first embodiment,

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing arrangement dimensions of each part of the angle detection device of the first embodiment;

6A and 6B are waveform diagrams of drive pulses for causing the light source of the first embodiment to emit light,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detection unit showing a modification of the first embodiment,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of a detection unit of a modified example,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an angle detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view showing the detection unit of the second embodiment,

11A and 11B are block diagrams showing an example of a circuit of the angle detection device according to each embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional input device,

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Device Main Body 11 Screen 12 Operating Member 15 Light Emitting Section 16, 17 Point Light Source 20 Detection Section 21 Visible Light Cut Filter 22 Aperture Plate 22a Aperture Port 23 Light Receiving Element 30 Light Emitting Section 31 Point Light Source 32 Polarizing Plate 35 Detection Section 36, 37 Filter

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting part and a detecting part are arranged separately, and two light sources which emit identifiable light are arranged at intervals in the light emitting part, and each light source is arranged in the detecting part. Is set as a spot light of a predetermined area, and an X-Y orthogonal coordinate that intersects with an axis passing through the center of the aperture is set, a divided light receiving portion divided in the X-axis direction and a divided light-receiving portion divided in the Y-axis direction. A split light receiving unit is provided, and the position of each spot light is obtained from the difference in the light receiving amount in the X light receiving unit in the X axis direction and the difference in the light receiving amount in the Y light receiving unit in the Y axis direction. An angle detecting device, comprising: a calculation unit that obtains a tilt angle of a line connecting the centers of spot lights on the XY coordinates. 2. A rotation coordinate Xα-Yα obtained by rotating the X-Y orthogonal coordinate by the tilt angle is set, and the calculation unit
The angle detection device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the midpoint of the spot lights on the Xα-Yα coordinates is obtained. 3. The angle detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the calculating section obtains the distance between the light emitting section and the detecting section from the distance between the centers of both spot lights and the arrangement interval of the light sources. 4. The angle detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided with one aperture and a four-division light receiving unit divided in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. 5. The detection unit includes two apertures, a two-divided light receiving unit that is divided in the X-axis direction for detecting a spot that has passed through one aperture, and spot light that has passed through the other aperture. The angle detection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a two-divided light receiving portion that is divided in the Y-axis direction for detection. 6. The light emitting section and the detecting section are arranged apart from each other, and the light emitting section emits substantially linearly polarized light, and the detecting section has a polarization direction of the light emitted from the light emitting section. Two filters that transmit polarized light components that are inclined in opposite directions and a light receiving unit that detects light that has passed through the respective filters are provided. From the difference in the received light amount of the light that has passed through the respective filters, An angle detection device, comprising: a calculation unit that obtains a rotation angle with respect to the detection unit. 7. An X intersecting with an axis connecting a light emitting portion and a detecting portion.
When -Y Cartesian coordinates are set, one light receiving unit can detect the movement amount of the spot light in the X-axis direction, and the other light receiving unit can detect the movement amount of the spot light in the Y-axis direction. The angle detection device according to claim 6. 8. An input device using the angle detection device according to claim 1 or 6, wherein a light emitting section is provided on one of a fixed device body side and a movable operation member side, and a detection section is provided on the other side. An input device in which information on relative rotation angles of both parts with respect to an axis connecting the light emitting part and the detecting part is input from the operation member to the device body.